Remembrance Day sparks war debate

IT'S that special time of the year when the nation stops to reflect and remember our greatest wartime conflicts.

Remembrance Day is just around the corner with the RSL Branches around the region holding services to honour their comrades and fallen friends.

Biloela RSL Sub-Branch president and war veteran John Rathjen said, although Remembrance Day was an important hallmark to remember the end of World War I, there was another forgotten conflict he believed held more relevance to Australians.

"What struck me in August this year was the 74th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day (VP Day) and nobody seems to remember that," Mr Rathjen said.

"VP Day, from an Australian perspective, that had far more significance than the Armistice in 1918 because that was in Europe while VP Day was in the Pacific on our doorstep

"While thousands of Australian troops died in Europe, we were in the firing line in the VP conflict when Japan came down from Papua New Guinea."

Mr Rathjen said the Remembrance Day service wasn't a high-profile affair like Anzac Day, with a relatively short service planned.

"We assemble at Anzac Park around 10.30am and the band plays a march to start with," Mr Rathjen said.

"This is followed by my address to open the service before we get to the wreath laying, the Last Post, a minute's silence and the Ode to finish off.

"All flags will be flying at half-mast and the Last Post played at 11am to signify the signing of the Armistice which ended World War I."

Mr Rathjen said the Biloela RSL Sub-Branch invited the public to attend the service and pay their respects.